Envy

Envy is a recent addition to the burgeoning after-hours scene in Ho Chi Minh City and it hopes to stand out from the pack due to its focus on live entertainment to complement the EDM, trance and hip-hop DJs that take to its stage.

Situated on Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, off Ham Nghi in District 1, Envy caters for the high-end segment of the marketplace. So, if you’re looking for any buy-one-get-one free sambuca shots, or wallet-busting happy hour offers, Envy is not the right place. But if you’re feeling flash and want to celebrate an event with a bottle of champagne or vodka, this might be your scene. It’s very hip-hop.

The Talent

The Art Deco styling is deliberate, as manager Vu explains: “Art Deco brings a luxury feel to the club. We chose a colour scheme of gold and purple to complement this — it’s warm. We want the customers to feel completely at ease.”

It’s a good-looking crowd in here and the place is very loud. Neon lights and strobe lights mingle with dancing bodies. Stepping inside feels like an assault on the senses. It’s clear that they want the customers to leave in the early hours with a lasting impression.

Envy has already attracted world-renowned DJs to the club, in the form of Japanese star Ksuke and Norwegian producer and DJ Alan Walker. Vu says that this year they hope to fly in a couple of different international DJs every week. With the sound covered, they also hope that Envy will be a complete sensory experience for its customers. There is a 30-foot LED screen that dominates the main room, as imposing as it is impressive, and fully customisable.

“Our design team creates different visuals for each show,” says Vu.

Off the Shelves

Envy is a nightclub first and foremost, but the venue can also be rented out for events. “From birthday parties, to press conferences, to weddings — we want the experience to be personal to them,” says Vu.

The fridges and shelves are stocked with bottles of spirits and champagne ready to shift, and Vu explains that their customers tend to prefer a bottle for the table, which enables a bit more relaxation than endless trips to the bar.

Whiskey connoisseurs are particularly well served, with prices starting at VND2,900,000 for the much liked blend, Chivas Regal. For those intimidated by the sight of a bottle of spirits on your table, the usual standards such as vodka, rum and cognac are available by the glass, which will set you back VND240,000 a pop plus VND90,000 for a coke mixer or VND150,000 for juice. Here you’re paying for the atmosphere and the entertainment.

Performance

The tagline of the club is “the art of nightlife”, and it’s clear that they want this to be more than a catchy soundbite. Vu says that what makes it different from other nightclubs in the city is the performance aspect of the club.

“We have an in-house team of 20 dancers. They are professionals. Do you know Cirque de Soleil? We are hoping to bring a bit of that experience to the nightclub.”